The Killing (1956)

For film buffs this glimpse of Kubrick's style developing in the mid-fifties is very cool (interplay of light and shadow, action sequences, camera angles), and the story overall is tense and enveloping, altho on final consideration the plot was thin.

Marlowe (1969)

I liked it a lot; this is a flawed noir movie that could've been a ton better with better editing and a different actor for Marlowe (he's way too clean + handsome), but it was an easy watch with great shots and many scenes that just sucked me in.

Wake Up Dead Man (2025)

It's impressive that the third installment in the Knives Out series manages to stay fresh and different, but they do manage, through a clever combination of emotional and mystery related tricks, and I really appreciated it - oh and also Daniel Craig has really grown into the role.

Red Country by Joe Abercrombie

I stupidly read these 9 books a bit out of order (don't make my mistake) so this is the last of the 9 novels of Abercrombie's First Law series, and I loved it, and I guess it's a little long-winded but nonetheless a wonderful story full of that trademark of his writing - wherein multiple character-driven developments intersect to create a marvelous moment, in a way that feels totally natural and quite surprising at the same time.

Honey Don't (2025)

I'm so predisposed to love this flick, considering the actors (Plaza), the director (Coen), the style (funny and violent), the subject (detective noir) - like the movie was made for me! - but the end spins totally out of control, has no style or grace, and looking back overall this movie lacks the exposition and character development that would've brought off any kind of ending at all.

Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)

Really cool use of film footage to create a new film, goes way into depth on Los Angeles as city and character and backdrop and cultural phenomenon, sort of wasted on me since I've never been there, but I liked the narrator's voice.

Ascenseur pour l'échafaud (1958)

Too stressful for me; too many normal people doing stupid things and getting into trouble; I like to watch smart people do smart things and still get into trouble.

Border (2018)

I appreciate this Swedish film for its uniqueness, both in story (never quite seen a fairy tale concept treated quite like this) and in effects / setting / makeup (you have to watch it to understand), and while the plot sort of left the rails a bit at the end, I am really glad I watched it.

The English Understand Wool by Hellen DeWitt

This charming novella pulls in all of DeWitt’s classic themes and subjects - language, wealth, fabrics/tailoring, and clever youth.

The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie

Flawless storytelling in Lord Grimdark’s fifth entry of his fantasy epic, just superbly well done and crucial to the overall development of the series - I wish I had read these in order. 

A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again by David Foster Wallace

On my second read through this early essay collection by one of my favorite authors I’m struck with how much fun the travel writing is and how deep the cultural critiques are and how both types of essay mix elements of each other in each. 

Violent Night (2022)

Either John Leguizamo is bad now or this director doesn't understand why he's great… might be both. 

Fight or Flight (2025)

Actually too stupid for me to finish; I just need some internal consistency, particularly around the physical rules of the universe, in order to enjoy a story.

The Fall Guy (2024)

In my quest for stupid action comedies as an alcohol substitute I broke an important rule of (consuming) lowbrow art which is to never watch the thing about making the thing, it's always solipsistic and horribly boring unless done with a deft touch (which this was not, I mean really the opposite of deft).

Heads of State (2025)

Decent stupid absurd action comedy for when brain turn off, the leads do a great job. 

The Battle of Algiers (1966)

Cinematically/technically excellent, historically fascinating, very touching at times, sort of old-fashioned and boring at other times, overall a great watch.